DEVOTION: Acts 2:1-21English Standard Version (ESV)

The Coming of the Holy Spirit

2 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested[a] on each one of them.4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven.6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome,11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God."12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?"13 But others mocking said, "They are filled with new wine."

Peter's Sermon at Pentecost

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.[b]16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

17 "'And in the last days it shall be, God declares,that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,and your young men shall see visions,and your old men shall dream dreams;18 even on my male servants and female servantsin those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.19 And I will show wonders in the heavens aboveand signs on the earth below,blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;20 the sun shall be turned to darknessand the moon to blood,before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.'

We have a voters meeting scheduled for May 20. In this newsletter, I want to alert you to some things that will be discussed and voted on so you know what's going on and can prepare accordingly.

1. Change in governance structure proposed to be implemented on a trial basis:

Over the past two decades we have seen a sharp decline in the number of members who are able and willing to serve on boards and committees. We have also seen that many of these boards and committees have lost their effectiveness and are not necessarily what the church needs or is focused on. Therefore our current governance structure has been in need of an overhaul for quite some time.

At last November's voter's meeting it was moved that a governance task force should be appointed to move forward with this. They have been meeting to discuss certain changes, and have been working diligently to come up with a plan and structure that will work for St. John's. They have come up with a new governance structure that they will be proposed, and then for the next five months the details will be worked out and our bylaws changed to reflect these changes. Then, at the November voter's meeting the voters will vote to approve the changes to bylaws and

I will not explain the plan here as it should be something that will be explained better in person on May 20. I will just say that we are moving from a board and committee model to a ministry model where people can participate and work freely in and with events and ministries instead of having to commit to a three year term on a board. Ministry will grow and more people will be able to be involved and not be hindered by a governance structure that is outdated.

2. A proposal to consolidate our three worship services to one on a trial basis beginning June 3.

Last year we used fifth Sundays to consolidate our worship services into one service and to have a fellowship meal and celebration after worship. It was met with much success, and many people came to the leadership of the church and to me and asked why we don't do it every week.

Then, in October of last year, there was a mass shooting at a church in Texas along with other shootings and acts of violence at other churches, and we began to think about our own church, and how we too often leave ourselves vulnerable. A security task force was appointed, and one of the things that was a big factor is how often we leave ourselves open for attack without even thinking about it. It was discussed that a way to keep ourselves safer would be to have less public worship services so that those trained in security could be available and at the ready at each worship service. It would also provide peace of mind for those attending who are concerned about such things, myself included.

Another factor in this is that we are spreading ourselves too thin when it comes to volunteers and worshipers. Since we have less people attending worship, there are less men who want to be elders, less acolytes, less projectionists, etc. as well as less worshipers in general. This provides scheduling hassles and nightmares for those who remain as volunteers and for Terry, our secretary.

The benefits of worshiping together in one service have been evident on our fifth Sundays. The sense of unity and fellowship is great! Singing is more robust and joyful. It is just a much more worshipful atmosphere when we are all together as one.

The downsides are certainly noted as well. Less convenience may cause some to not be able to attend. And while this may be true, we haven't seen any lasting increase in worship attendance when we added worship services either. Another downside is that those who have grown used to a routine, or a certain style of worship will have to adapt and adjust.

Our worship style will be blended. We will have liturgy, hymns, children's songs, and videos all in the same service. I can guarantee that it will be wonderful, because I know that the Lord Jesus will be there and be honored and praised!

Of course this is all subject to voter discussion and approval on May 20. Please contact pastor or your elder with any concerns you may have.

3. There is a $20,000 memorial that was given by the Ed Kohrs estate that the trustees would like the voters to approve to be used for a security system around church and a new digital sign out front.

With past acts of violence and increasing church break ins, a security system would be a great help to our safety. Our current sign is falling apart piece by piece and would cost more to fix than the sign is worth.

In closing, I want to encourage and remind you that even though the world and our church seem to be changing at a more rapid pace than we'd like, our LORD DOES NOT CHANGE! He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever! He will be with you through the changes of life, and will bring you to eternal life. And whatever changes do happen at St. John's the Lord Jesus will still be the Lord of this church! He will still be the one preached, taught and witnessed! He will still guide this church toward doing his will! The Scriptures will be our source of teaching, doctrine and life!

I can also encourage you that, even though worship attendance is on the decline, membership is on the rise! We've been averaging two baptisms a month so far this year, and many are planning on becoming members in the near future through transfer and adult instruction. Be encouraged that God is still growing his church! Be excited about the future of St. John's. I know that God will do great things through us. He will use our mouths, hands and feet to bring the lost to himself!

This ministry is very simple. Take the Word of God and put it into the hands and lives of people. As you go about your day, simply leave them in the restaurant, store, waiting room—wherever someone would find them. Give them as gifts to your friends and neighbors.

This ministry is based on these verses from Isaiah 55

10 "For as the rain and the snow come down from heavenand do not return there but water the earth,making it bring forth and sprout,giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;it shall not return to me empty,but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

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Mission Statement

The mission of St. John's Lutheran Church is to preach the Word of God in its purity and to teach this Word to all people. We do so through the means God has given us, the Sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion.

What We Believe

The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod accepts the Scriptures as the inspired and inerrant Word of God, and subscribes unconditionally to all the symbolical books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church as a true and unadulterated statement and exposition of the Word of God.

We accept the Confessions because they are drawn from the Word of God and on that account regard their doctrinal content as a true and binding exposition of Holy Scripture and as authoritative for all pastors, congregations and other rostered church workers of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.